John Eldon Lawson

He was born July 13, 1955, in Westfield, N.Y. the son of the late Eldon “Ernie” and Esther Smith Lawson.

John was a 1973 graduate of Chautauqua Central School and had also attended BOCES for auto mechanics. After high school he enlisted into the U.S. Navy were he proudly served his country for four years as a SEABEE. After being honorably discharged he worked as a mechanic for Sears in Lakewood, and then earned his CDL and was an over the road trucker before working for Hope’s Windows Inc. in Jamestown, where he worked for 27 years as a laborer and supervisor and was a union member. After retiring from Hope’s Windows, he finished his working years with Southern Tier Brewery.

He was a member of the Ashville Fire Department where he served as an EMT3 and was an active member of the Lakewood American Legion Post 1286 where he served as treasurer for two years and was the current board president for the last three years.

John enjoyed golfing, hunting, camping, NASCAR, football and most of all spending time with his family.

He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Coleen Howser Lawson; his four children: J. (Stacy) Howser, Kenny (Heather) Zysk, Sally (Todd) Janson and Paige (Tom) Milligan; his grandchildren: Jocelyn Howser, Derrick Howser, Bryce Zysk, Megan Howell, Brooke Rodriguez, Anthony DePonceau, Kaitlyn and Madison Ford; his great-grandchildren; Milah (MyMY Squirmbutt) Alexander, Yandel, Aaliyah and Aryana Rodriguez, Jayden, Wyatt and Brantley Jackson; and his two brothers: Bradley (Christine) Lawson and Bryan (Meghan) Lawson; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles and in-laws.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Bella Rodriguez.

The funeral will be held at 1 p.m., on Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021, at the Dewittville Christian Missionary Alliance Church (5821 Meadows Road, Dewittville, NY 14728) where military honors will be presented by the Lakewood Legion Post 1286. The Rev. Andrew Frudd will officiate the funeral. Burial will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery, Ashville, N.Y.

The family will receive friends for visitation on Monday, Dec. 6, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., at the Freay Funeral Home in Mayville (139 S. Erie St).

Memorial donations can be made to the Lakewood American Legion Post 1286 (174 Chautauqua Ave, Lakewood, NY 14750) or the Ashville Fire Department (5338 Stow Road, Ashville, NY 14710) or to the funeral home to help offset the final expenses.

To leave a remembrance or to post condolences to the family, please visit freayfuneralhome.com